Thursday April 25, 2024 
Poestenkill Democrats Seek Candidates
POESTENKILL – The Poestenkill Democratic Committee is currently accepting resumes from residents interested in running for the following town offices: Town Supervisor (two-year term), Town Council Member (two seats to be filled, each with a four-year term), Town Clerk (two-year term), and Superintendent of Highways (two-year term). Endorsed candidates will receive campaign assistance from the Poestenkill Democratic Committee. If interested, please inquire and/or submit a resume and letter of qualifications to Bob Crowley, Chair, Poestenkill Democratic Committee, via email: pkdems@nullgmail.com.
Town Hall Closes for Memorial Day Holiday
SCHODACK – Debra L. Curtis, Schodack Town Clerk, wishes to remind residents that the Schodack the Schodack Town Hall Offices and Highway Department will be closed on Monday, May 31, 2021 for the Memorial Day Holiday. The Schodack Town Hall Offices and Highway Department will resume its regular business hours on Tuesday, June 1, 2021
The Transfer Station will resume its regular business hours on Wednesday, June 2, 2021.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of the Town Clerk at 518-477-7590, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm.
North Greenbush Report from Councilwoman Mary Frances Sabo
NORTH GREENBUSH – In recognition of my proven ability to work on a bipartisan basis for the best interests of the Town of North Greenbush the Town Board appointed Councilwoman Merola to assist me in my role as Chair of the Climate Smart Committee. Welcome to the Climate Smart team, Jessica! This year, the Committee is working towards achieving Climate Smart Certification for the town with grant funded assistance from Cornell Cooperative Extension. Some of the goals of the committee for this year are adopting a green purchasing policy, installing an EV charging station on municipal property, and producing an educational program on recycling, reusing and composting.
One highlight of May has been Tuesday night food trucks at town hall. Janice Kerwin, our amazing town clerk, had the idea for this to help food service businesses who were struggling due to pandemic restrictions. These food truck evenings have been very well attended and the reaction has been very positive.
After being closed for over a year, town hall is set to open in early June. This means that the public can begin to attend Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board meetings in person. As a reminder, all meetings can be viewed via the internet at www.townofng.com.
The town is seeking a developer to re-design and maintain its website. A request for proposal is available on the town website. For more information, please email the town comptroller, agermano@nullgmail.com.
Finally, I participated in a “ride-along” with one of North Greenbush’s hard working police officers. I appreciate Chief Keevern and the Department’s willingness to allow me an inside look at a typical work day of one of our officers.
As always, please reach out to me with any concerns or questions at msabo@nullnorthgreenbush.org
Submitted by Councilwoman Mary Frances Sabo
District 2 County Legislators Announce Conservative Party Endorsement and Re-Election Bid
RENSSELAER COUNTY – District 2 County Legislators Kelly Hoffman, Leon Fiacco, Tom Grant, and Rob Bayly have announced that they will seek re-election to their County Legislature seats. During the last four years, the team has worked together with County Executive Steve McLaughlin to adopt budgets that cut property taxes, improved county bond ratings, and build healthy financial reserves by cutting unnecessary spending.
The team has supported the construction of the new County Fire Training Facility in North Greenbush. Construction has begun on the facility that will provide firefighters and emergency personnel with a safe and modern live fire training tower and new classrooms.
During the last four years the County has also dramatically improved the County road maintenance program that paved a record breaking 50+ miles of road last year, and plans to pave 65 miles this year.
The District 2 Legislators have provided financial support to libraries, ambulance companies, and youth sports organizations throughout their district, and have assisted countless residents, and other local officials, with even the smallest issues that they have been asked to help with.
Kelly Hoffman, who serves as Vice-Chair of the Legislature, is a registered Conservative, and Leon Fiacco, Tom Grant, and Rob Bayly were all proud to receive the endorsement of the Conservative Party. The District 2 Legislators represent North Greenbush, East Greenbush, and Poestenkill.
The District 2 team faces a challenge by a non-endorsed candidate in June, and looks forward to Election Day in November.
Rensselaer County Legislators at Circles of Mercy, Inc.
RENSSELAER COUNTY – Chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature Michael Stammel recently visited with Richard Zazycki, President and CEO of Circles of Mercy in Rensselaer. Mike was joined by County Executive Steve McLaughlin and County Director of Central Services Jim Gordon as he presented a check in support of the programs at Circles of Mercy. Circles of Mercy provides financial literacy training, infant supplies, human resource referrals, a thrift shop, and many more services to residents of Rensselaer and surrounding communities. Thank you to Circles of Mercy for caring about our community!
Sand Lake Democrats Announce Candidates for Town Offices
SAND LAKE – The Sand Lake Democrats announce their candidates for Town elections this November:
Town Supervisor: Garrett DeGraff. DeGraff is a retired municipal attorney and member of the Planning Oversight Committee, which prepared the Town’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan. He will use his finance and planning experience to economically develop recreation facilities, safe routes for walkers and bicyclists, and public water in heavily populated areas. He will contain mining. DeGraff ran for Town Board in 2019.
Town Board: Virginia (Dee) Erickson. Erickson, running for a second term, advocates protecting and enhancing the Town’s natural beauty and historic structures. Erickson wants to continue to make the Town more “eco-friendly,” and protect neighborhoods from aggressive mine encroachment. She will defend its Zoning Code against frivolous lawsuits by mining interests.
Town Board: Mary Ellen Trumbull. A retired educator, Trumbull volunteered for the Community Van from its inception. She served on the Zoning Board of Appeal and Planning Board, experiences that will help support growth. Her priorities include increasing services while developing additional programs, and encouraging fiscally responsible spending while seeking state and federally funds to supplement the Town Budget.
Town Clerk: Linda Cooke. Cooke recently retired after 17 years as a service associate at the Sand Lake Post Office. She is treasurer of the Sand Lake Business Association and a Fire Commissioner for the Fire District No. 3. She seeks to make the Clerk’s office more up to date and efficient.
Town Justices David Fryer. Justice Fryer, in his 24th year as Town, is seeking a 7th term. He works for the Office of Court Administration in the Office of Justice Court Support.
Town Justice: Jonathan Bernstein. Bernstein is an attorney with Goldberg Segalla, LLP in Albany in civil rights, labor and employment laws, personal injury, land use, and education.
Troy to Receive Brownfield Grant
TROY – The Endorsed City of Troy Legislative Candidates are pleased to hear that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $600,000 grant to the City of Troy to assess and clean up the contaminated property along the 200 acres of vacant South Troy waterfront under the EPA’s Brownfields Program. “I am thankful for the grant funding from the EPA, as it will help address areas along the Hudson River that will ultimately facilitate new construction and therefore economic development and growth,” stated Legislator Erin Sullivan-Teta. “As the City Council representative for a large portion of the South Troy waterfront and a member of the Troy Local Development Corporation, I am absolutely thrilled that our city is being awarded these much-needed funds for brownfield assessment and remediation,” stated Councilman Ken Zalewski (D – District 5). “The key to continued success with economic development in Troy is smart utilization of our vast waterfront. These funds will help Troy to Build Back Better Plan by cleaning up the environment, creating jobs, and increasing our tax base. I want to thank the Biden administration, the EPA, Majority Leader Schumer, and Congressman Tonko for selecting our little city as one of only five projects in New York State, and I look forward to collaborating with our federal partners on this exciting endeavor.”